Tampon applicator with lubricated tip

ABSTRACT

A tampon applicator comprises inner and outer hollow members with a tampon mounted within the outer member. The inner member is telescopically mounted within the hollow outer member with one end surface adapted to contact the tampon and its other end surface extending outwardly to act as a plunger. A lubricant is located within the outer member secured therein by inner and outer seals. The tampon with a lubricating coating is ejected with the application of force to the slideable plunger.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is related to Provisional Application Serial No.60/274,578 filed Mar. 3, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to tampons and in particular to tamponapplicators having a tip with lubricant to facilitate the placement of atampon into a body cavity.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosedunder 37 CFR 1.97-1.98

[0005] Catamenial tampons are inserted into a woman's vagina to absorbmenstrual fluid, blood and other body secretions. One conventional wayof inserting such tampons is with the use of an applicator.

[0006] The traditional two-piece applicator design includes a hollowapplicator having a tampon telescopically mounted therein and a plungerelement which forces the tampon outwardly. Considerable effort has beendirected to reduce the force required to expel the tampon but theproblem of ease and comfort during the insertion still exists. Thedirect insertion of the dry absorbent fibers of a tampon often causesirritation of the vaginal walls. Plastic applicators can pinch or cuttissue during insertion and paper applicators require an increasedexpulsion force which can cause the applicator to deform or the tamponto be inserted incorrectly.

[0007] Among the relevant prior art patents are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,690,671to Coleman and 5,569,177 to Fox, et al.

[0008] The Coleman U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,671 discloses an inserterequipped with a moveable and removable fluid reservoir at the place oftampon exit and conduits which carry a portion of the fluid to the otherend of the tampon. The tampon inserter is unduly complicated, expensiveand requires a considerable force to rupture the fluid seal.

[0009] Fox, et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,177 features an insertion tipwhich extends outwardly from an inner telescopically mounted member andwithin which a tampon is mounted. The tampon is expelled through the tipwhen force is applied to the tampon. Various tips are disclosed in thepatent.

[0010] Also of interest is U.S. Pat. No. 3,335,726 which discloses alubricating tampon having a container triangular in cross-section havinga gathered inner edge around an opening through which a tear-stringextends and with a lower surface scored on circles to release alubricant on pulling the string. The V-shaped plastic containerstretches as the tampon is ejected.

[0011] The present invention is distinctly different from the prior artand has the unique advantages of being inexpensive, easy to use, andcomfortable in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] This invention relates to tampons and more particularly to tamponapplicators which are easy to use and comfortable in use.

[0013] In the invention, the tampon applicator includes inner and outerhollow members with a tampon mounted within the outer member. The innermember is telescopically mounted within the hollow outer member with itsend surface adapted to contact the tampon. The inner member projectsoutwardly from one end of the outer member and is slideable therewithinto serve as a plunger. A lubricant is mounted within the other end ofthe outer member which is of suitable material such as plastic or coatedpaper or paperboard or any other material that could be used inconnection with an applicator.

[0014] In use, an outer seal is removed or broken from the outer memberso that the lubricant is exposed. The movement of the inner memberforces the tampon outwardly through a fragile inner seal with thelubricant spreading along the tip and sides of the tampon. The use ofthe lubricant permits easy and comfortable insertion of the tamponlessening the chances of irritating sensitive tissues.

[0015] Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved tampon applicator which is easy to use.

[0016] Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedtampon applicator which is inexpensive and provides lubrication for easeof insertion.

[0017] A more specific object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved tampon applicator which includes a tampon and a telescopicplunger mounted within an outer cylinder and a lubricant reservoir atthe tip of the cylinder which may be sealed within the cylinder by aremovable strip or other material, the plunger forcing the tamponoutwardly with a coating of lubricant when force is applied to theplunger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and other objects and advantages of this invention maybe more clearly seen when viewed in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

[0019]FIG. 1 is a cut-away front view of the invention with portionsshown in phantom; and

[0020]FIG. 2 is an end view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Referring now to the drawings, the invention comprises a uniquetampon applicator 10. the tampon 11 is shown in phantom mounted withinthe hollow cylinder 12. A second cylinder 13 is telescopically mountedwithin the end 14. The cylinder 13 acts as a plunger in engagement withthe tampon 11 which is preferably of cotton or other natural materials.The withdrawal string which is connected to the tampon 11 extendsoutwardly from the cylinder 13.

[0022] A lubricant reservoir 17 is located at the other end 16 ofcylinder 12. The lubricant 18 is maintained within the cylinder 12 by apeelable seal 19 which extends across the open end 21. A second seal 22and a surface 23 of appropriate material such as plastic or latexmaintains the lubricant 18 within the cylinder 12 without the danger ofseepage. With a tear-off seal 19, it is possible to have a strongerseal. There are no strings at the end 16 which could accidentally bepulled on shipping, storage or use. Further, there is no need to have aperforated internal structure connected to a string which would increasethe cost.

[0023] The lubricant may be various creams or petroleum jelly or othersoluble with additives to assure the sterility thereof. The surface canalso be lubricated or contain an additive if desired. Suitablelubricants and additives include any of the pharmaceutically acceptedlubricants or additives conventionally used in tampon applicators. Suchlubricants and additives include organic compounds, long changealiphatic groups, such as derivatives of fatty acids, for examplestearamides and oleamides.

[0024] The hollow cylinder 12 may be a material such as plastic materialor paper coated with a polyethylene or polypropylene film to contain thelubricant. The second cylinder is of a sufficiently rigid material thatit can exert the necessary force to push the tampon through thelubricant into the vagina.

[0025] An external coating of wax or polyethylene may be applied to theexterior of the second cylinder 13 to facilitate sliding movement withinthe outer cylinder 12 or the cylinder 13 may be spaced from the internalwalls 31 of the outer cylinder 12 and extend through an aperture 32 inend 24.

[0026] In an alternate embodiment, the seal 19 is merely ruptured by theoutward movement of cylinder 13 and there is no need to tear off theprotective surface 19. The second seal 22 is normally ruptured by themovement of the cylindrical plunger 13. In this embodiment, the seal 19may not be as strong as in the tear-off embodiment since deformation ofthe tampon 11 or misdirection thereof may result.

[0027] In use, the cylinders 12 and 13 are grasped and pressure isapplied to the end 24 of cylinder 13. The end 26 drives the tampon 11outwardly within cylinder 12 breaking the internal lubricant seal 22 anddriving the tampon 11 outwardly from the end 21. The tampon 11 passesthrough the lubricant 18 wherein a thin coating adheres to the outersurface 27 and forward portion 28 to facilitate insertion into thevagina. The problem caused by dry fibers and excessive force is thusaverted.

[0028] While the invention has been explained by a detailed descriptionof certain specific embodiments, it is understood that variousmodifications and substitutions can be made in any of them within thescope of the appended claims, which are intended also to includeequivalents of such embodiments.

1. A tampon applicator for insertion of tampons comprises: a firsthollow cylinder having a front open end portion and a rear open endportion; a tampon located within said cylinder; a second hollow cylinderslidably mounted within the first cylinder and having a first endportion engaging the tampon within the first cylinder and a second endportion extending outwardly from the rear end portion of the firstcylinder; a reservoir having a lubricant mounted therein comprising thefront open end portion of the first cylinder, said cylinder having afirst seal extending across the front open end portion and a second sealextending across said cylinder at a spaced distance from the first seal,wherein pressure is applied to the second end portion of the secondcylinder causing said cylinder to move within the first cylinder drivingthe tampon through the lubricant and outwardly from the first cylinderfor insertion thereof.
 2. A tampon applicator for insertion of tamponsin accordance with claim 1 wherein: the first seal comprises a tear offseal extending across the first open-end portion of the first cylinder.3. A tampon applicator for insertion of tampons in accordance with claim1 wherein: the first and second seals comprise seals which rupture uponmovement of the second cylinder driving the tampon outwardly.
 4. Atampon applicator for insertion of tampons in accordance with claim 1wherein: the tampon includes a removal string attached thereto andextending outwardly from the second end portion of the second cylinder.5. A tampon applicator for insertion of tampons in accordance with claim1 wherein: the exterior of the second cylinder is coated with a film tofacilitate movement within the first cylinder.
 6. A tampon applicatorfor insertion of tampons in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the firstcylinder includes an interior wall surrounding the reservoir and saidwall comprises a coated material impervious to the lubricant.
 7. Atampon applicator for insertion of tampons in accordance with claim 1wherein: the lubricant comprises a material such as petroleum jelly orcreams having antiseptic additives.
 8. A tampon applicator for insertionof tampons in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the rear open-end portionof the first cylinder comprises a central aperture of lesser diameterthan the cylinder and the second cylinder is slidably mounted thereinand extends outwardly therefrom.